Beanies, beanies and more beanies

Sunday June 22:

As we had arrived in the middle of the Beanie Festival we decided to go with the flow and headed out to Araluen which is Alice’s cultural precinct.

The Beanie Festival has grown and grown and attracts entries for all around the world into the competition side of things. Also lots of people send in beanies they have made so the organizers can sell them. The festival either gets a commission on each sold or lots of people donate the beanies so the money goes towards next year’s festival. This year there were 8,000 beanies for sale.

I thought a beanie was a beanie was a beanie. How wrong I was. They come in all shapes and sizes knitted, crocheted, felted and include everything from plastic bottle tops to feathers and hand spun wool.

Look at the images I have included and you will see what I mean.

After admiring all the wonderful, creative entries we wandered into the “shop” to try on a beanie or two. I wanted one with ear flaps to keep my ears warm. I tried it on and it fitted perfectly. When I asked for Wal’s opinion I was told “you look like a Tibetan monk” – no offence to the monks meant but that was the end of that beanie. I tried on several others and they all looked “wrong” so I walked away with nothing. The cost of each varied from $30 to $130 plus depending on the artist etc. I wonder if anyone has thought of opening a beanie gallery.

Outside, you could watch and make your own beanie from felt etc and people of all ages were having a go. On one table they were trying to make the world’s biggest beanie but I didn’t hear if they succeed.

It was all free but we supported the local service clubs at their sausage sizzle so helped the cause.

We did a bit of shopping, fueled up and then went up to ANZAC Hill which is north of the town centre and has a fantastic view across Alice plus an impressive war memorial.

One of the many beanies entered in the National Beanie Festival at Alice Springs. this entry was called Planet Pantomime.

Some of the 8,000 beanies on sale at the National Beanie Festival at Alice Springs.

Looking south across the main shopping area of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill. The West Macdonnell Ranges are on the right and the East MacDonnell Ranges on the left. They are split by the Heavitree Gap which was created by the Todd River.

The Alice Springs War Memorial erected in 1934 on Anzac Hill.